As I was walking up Atlantic Ave. today, from Henry to Court St., I was met with the all too familiar scene of trailers, heavy duty lighting and frantic underlings skittering about with headphones. And then I noticed something you don’t see with every production in the neighborhood–a gaggle of teenage girls with cameras standing around impatiently in the 90+ degree heat. Hmmm, what could bring so many young ladies with braces and short, denim skirts to the brow-beating heat of Atlantic Ave. in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon? Why, Gossip Girl, of course. I assume those feisty upper east-siders were slumming it here while filming in the Waterfall Cafe (maybe falafel really is sexier than we thought), but it looks like today is the last day those massive trailers take up coveted parking spots. XOXO, Bococaland.
BococaLand
Archive for ‘fun stuff’
Teenage Girls Storm Brooklyn Heights Gossip Girl Set
City of Water Day Festival Hits Brooklyn
We’re surrounded by water in NYC. And though I still think the city has a ways to go before it utilizes the waterfront to its fullest (oh how we love ye Barcelona), it’s nice to see local government making an effort with this weekend’s City of Water Day Festival. Sponsored by the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, an alliance of more than 550 waterfront stakeholders, the family-friendly event takes place this Saturday 16 July, 10am to 4pm, at Governor’s Island and Brooklyn Bridge Park. Here’s a calendar of free events fyi:
On Pier 1
11:00am – 4:00pm: Free boating
Free kayaking with Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse. Children under 18 must have an adult present. No reservations necessary, first come first serve.
On Pier 5
11:00am: Kayak Demonstration
Members of QajaqUSA and Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse will demonstrate a variety of rolling techniques that were developed to recover from various situations that seal and walrus hunters encountered such as injured hands and arms, loss of a paddle and entanglement in harpoon lines.
On Pier 6
11:00am – 2:00pm: Water-themed art projects
Explore boats and water-themed arts and crafts project with Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Playground Associates.
12:00pm – 2:00pm: Try to catch a fish and watch a squid dissection
Make your own amazing casting machine from a recycled soda can (bring your own if possible) and use it to try and catch a fish. While your line is out, watch a big squid dissection and learn how it attacks prey and defends itself. Led by Master Angler Bill Fink and Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy staff.
11:00am – 5:00pm: Tug and Barge tours
Participate in dockside tours of the 1907 tugboat Pegasus and the Waterfront Museum’s 1914 Lehigh Valley Barge #79.
1:00pm, 2:30pm, 4:00pm: Jeff Newell’s New-Trad Quartet
Enjoy three river music sets performed live from the Waterfront Museum Barge.
Governor’s Island, mainly on the north side of the island in Nolan Park
Waterfront Activity Fair with a theatre program, fishing, watershed demonstrations and an art program.
Children’s Activities including a critter touch tank, Colonial Dutch Apple Pressing & Crafts opportunities, relays & games and a slide.
Guided Historic Boat Tours around the harbor
Tango Dancing
Kayak Rolling Demonstration
Waterfront Bike Riding
Bouncy Castles
Activities by the Harbor School
Harbor Education Task Force Meeting
Live Music and Numerous Options for food
Opera in Gowanus
Recently, I realized my days of heading to the ballet, opera, symphony, etc. have dwindled significantly. Chalk it up to parenthood or laziness, but my cultural barometer has been hovering at about two percent. So it was with great happiness I noticed Vertical Player Repertory’s new opera, playing right here in Gowanus 8 to 16 July. The Cobble Hill-based company will perform Francesco Cavalli’s 17th century comedy La Calisto under the stars in the gritty courtyard of a 19th century factory building, home of the interdisciplinary gallery and reading room Proteus Gowanus (534 Union St. at Nevins St.).
Performances are scheduled for Friday 8 July, Sunday 10 July, Thursday 14 July, and Saturday 16 July, with rain dates on Saturday 9 July, Monday 11 July, Friday 15 July and Sunday 17 July. All shows are at 8pm and tickets are $30, available here, or by calling 800-838-3006. So you can get your culture on without hailing a cab.
Taking a Dip, Brooklyn Style
Cooling down isn’t easy in the city. So why not head to one of the NYC pools, now open for business from 11am to 7pm, (closed between 3 and 4 to clean). Our local options are the Sol Goldman Pool, Red Hook, Bay and Henry Streets and Double D Pool, Gowanus, Douglass and Nevins St. which almost closed due to lack of funding last summer.
The Red Hook option is a little cleaner and larger, but Double D has a kiddie pool for the little ones. And remember, if you want to wear a shirt in the water, it’s gotta be plain white. No colors allowed. Flip flops and hats are ok, but not much else. That means no flotation devices for children, and no balls or buckets or toys. And most importantly, bring a lock because you can’t take your wallet and you don’t want to leave it in the locker room. Trust me. For a more comprehensive Brooklyn overview of the public pools, check out this Brooklyn-Based tip sheet.
Water Balloons on Steroids
KAOS Nemesis Wrist Launcher-for the children
But what if I told you I found a little gadget that makes water ballooning even more fun? Yes, I said MORE FUN. The KAOS Nemesis Wrist Launcher by Imperial Toy is just that. Made of lowly plastic, it kind of looks like a mini-jai alai stick, but can launch water balloons over 100 feet. And man, it’s got precision. Just a flick of the wrist and even the dog won’t be safe. You can pick it up at Target for $15 and it comes with 50 balloons to start with.
Now That School Is Done: Summer Fun
A parent’s summer in South Brooklyn means a lot of hot playgrounds, sprinklers and finding some activities to keep the kids busy. So here are just a few things to check out as we head into July. More to come as we get it.
Pop into the New York Transit Museum Thursday afternoons this summer (7 July to 18 Aug) for a trip back in time with a performer on one of the museum’s vintage subway or elevated train cars. Each week a different costumed character brings transit history to life from 1:30 to 2pm.
Beginning 2 July, head to Prospect Park Saturdays at 1pm and 3pm to join one of Macy’s Fishing Clinics. The free program offers kids fishing instruction and an introduction to aquatic ecology, featuring recreational fishing, fishing safety, and fish-friendly techniques. To join in the fun, meet at the Audubon Center at the Boathouse (just inside the Lincoln Road/Ocean Ave. entrance to the Park). And not to worry, all fishing at Prospect Park is “catch and release” only. For more info, all (718) 287-3400, ext. 303.
The summer afternoon acting workshop at Young Actors Workshop will run from 5 to 15 July at Christ Church, Cobble Hill, corner of Clinton and Kane Sts. Variety is the key with a mixture of improv work, theater games, and rehearsal of a play to be determined. Recommended for ages 9 to 13, it goes from 3pm to 5pm and will cost $275.
And tipping their hats to the adults, Char No. 4 at 196 Smith St. is offering a Wed. night special with your choice of a fried oyster or fried shrimp po’boy dressed and served with a bag of Zapp’s and an Abita Resoration Pale Ale for $19 (Starting 6 July). Begins at 6pm and can be ordered at the bar or in the dining area.
Summer Arts at Pierrepont Playground
Looking for some educational programs for the kids? A Summer Arts Program will be conducted by the Micro Museum of Cobble Hill at Pierrepont Playground, beginning Tuesday, 5 July. The programs are funded by individual contributions to the Playground Committee, as well as generous annual contributions from the Brooklyn Heights Association, and best of all, it won’t cost a thing. From the mailing list: We will offer Science and Movement classes on Mondays from 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm and Creative Arts classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 am – noon. These programs are recommended for children aged 4 and up. All classes are held at Pierrepont Playground. A parent or guardian must be present at all times.
Return of the Jedi-Screening at Carroll Park
Here’s yet another great way to watch a classic film in open air. Friends of Carroll Park are bringing us the last installment of the Star Wars saga this Friday night at 8pm, in front of the Robert Acito Park House. Whether it’s your umpteenth time watching Luke and his fa-thah duke it out or your kids are seeing it for the very first time, you can enjoy Return of the Jedi in all it’s Ewokian glory with a picnic and a few brewskies. There’s no charge, but donations to Friends of Carroll Park will be accepted.
Huge DUMBO Stoop Sale
Looking for something to do this weekend? This super-sized stoop sale is not to be missed. Organized by the DUMBO Improvement District, the DUMBO Parents Organization and Half Pint Citizens, this community sale takes place this Saturday, 18 June, at The Archway under the Manhattan Bridge. With hipsters and YUPPIEs abound, this ain’t your momma’s second hand sale. DJ’s from the Halcyon will be spinning all day to keep you entertained and a dance party will begin at 2pm with DJ Kai. Runs from 11am to 4pm.
Free Services at Cobble Hill Beauty Boutique
Out with that nasty foundation, in with the bronzer. That’s my summer make-up tip. But if you’re ready to switch out your seasonal beauty gear, head over to Shen Beauty (315 Court St.) in Cobble Hill this Thursday for a free makeover from “a top TV and film make up artist.” Spend $85 and you’ll receive a gift from Becca cosmetics and a free blowout from Court Street’s new hair salon, The Bird House. And just to be cheeky, there will be in-store eyebrow threading by Samina (past prices have been $12 for brows and $20 for brows and upper lip). The fun begins at 3pm and the store will stay open until 9pm for you late shoppers.
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